New surgical robots arrive at Musgrove Park and Yeovil Hospital

Our surgeons are preparing for the arrival of a brand new da Vinci Xi surgical robotic system.

The robots have landed at both Musgrove Park and Yeovil Hospital this month and training has already started in readiness for the system to come into use in our operating theatres from the summer.

It will enable surgeons at both hospitals to perform more intricate, less invasive surgery, across more disciplines.

Mr Richard Bamford, one of our colorectal surgeons, said it was a great step forward for surgery in Somerset.

“The term ‘robotic’ often misleads people,” he said. “Robots don’t actually perform surgery – the surgeon still does that using instruments that they guide via a console.

“The system translates the surgeon’s hand movements at the console in real time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. The tiny instruments move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion.

“It also means we will be able to conduct more intricate surgery, which will be less invasive for the patient.”

The £1.5 million Musgrove Park robot has been funded by the hospital’s League of Friends and its donors.

Peter Renshaw, the League’s chairman, said: “It’s been an incredible effort by all involved and I would like to thank all those many people who have helped us.

“It not only improves the life of patients and staff, but it helps ensure that Musgrove has the latest state of the art equipment, which helps with the recruitment and retention of the best staff.

“The League has been supporting the hospital for more than 60 years. We are proud of what the funding has made possible and we’re particularly excited about the introduction of robotic surgery in the coming months.”

Dr Daniel Meron, our chief medical officer, said:

“We want to embrace the latest cutting-edge technology, which can improve the care and treatment we are able to provide for our patients.

“We hope this will be a real boost for our colleagues too and I’m looking forward to seeing our surgeons making full use of the robots.”